Lifting mechanism



- Nov. 28, 1939. i J4J. MIZER 2.181378 LIFTING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 5, 1939 IN V ENTOR Jseyz? J M2611 BY MM, n 9%! A TTORNE Y5.

Patented Nov. 28, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LIFTING MECHANISM Joseph J. Mizer, Racine, Wis., assignor to Walker Manufacturing Company, Racine, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin The present invention relates to vehicle lifting mechanisms, and in particular is directed to the provision of a holding column embodying improvements over the structure claimed in applicants co-pending application, Serial No. 264,355, filed March 27, 1939.

The principal objects of the present invention are to provide an improved holding column of the above type, characterized as being inexpensive of manufacture, light in weight, and as being extremely simple to use in service; to provide such a structure comprising generally a base portion and an upwardly extending column portion, terminating in a vehicle engaging saddle; to provide such a structure embodying a handle portionadapted to fold within the main body of the column and adapted when swung to operating position to cooperate with an associated part of the lifting mechanism so as to position the column; and to generally improve and simplify the construction and arrangement of holding columns of the above indicated type.

With the above as well as other objects in view which appear in the following description and in the appended claims, a preferred but illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing, throughout the several views of which corresponding reference characters are used to designate corresponding parts, and in which: v

Figure 1 is a view in rear elevation of a vehicle structure to which the present invention may be applied;

Fig. 2 is a view corresponding generally to Fig. 1, but showing the improved holding column in operative position;

Fig. 3 is a view in elevation, taken along the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view in section taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view in horizontal section, taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is a view in perspective of the improved holding column.

The improved holding column of the present invention is particularly designed for, but not limited to, use in connection with lifting mechanisms of the general type described and claimed in applicants above copending application, Serial No. 264,355, patented Aug. 8, 1939 as Patent No. 2,168,489. As described in said copending application, these mechanisms comprise generally a jack element which is adapted to be applied to an outwardly projecting portion of a vehicle wheel, so as to elevate the same, and a holding column adapted to be placed beneath an unsprung part of the vehicle so as to retain the same in elevated position while the wheel or tire is being replaced.

With these preliminary considerations in view,, 5 the present holding column comprises a base l0, generally planar in form, to which is secured a column l2. The column [2 is preferably formed by suitable die forming operations from an initially plane sheet of stock, and in order to rein- 10 force it, this column is formed to have a web I4, side flange portions l6, and base flange portions l8. In addition, to adapt it for connection to the base element It], the column I2 is provided at the lower edge thereof with inwardly turned flanges 20, which may be riveted or otherwise secured to the base. It is preferred to position the holding column beneath the brake drums 22 of the associated wheel, as most clearly appears in Figs. 2 and 3, andtto adapt it for this purgo pose, the column is of generally C-shape, with the saddle portion 24 thereof and the base portion thereof extending away from the mid portions of the column in the same direction, so that such mid portion clears the vehicle tire. The 5 saddle portion 24 is formed by inwardly flanging the column, as indicated at 26, and this flanged portion 26 is given a curvature approximately equal but slightly in excess of the radius of the curvature of the brake drum 22. In order to an assist in. positioning the column beneath the rim portion, the saddle 26 is provided at its back with an upwardly directed lug 28, which is adapted to abut the inner face of the brake drum 22 when the column is properly positioned.

In view of the substantial overhang of present day body designs, it is desirable to enable the holding column to be placed in proper position from the side of the vehicle rather than from the front or the rear. With this consideration in view, the transverse width of the flange portions [6, and the general curvature of the column is so proportioned that whenthe vehicle wheel 30 is elevated by the illustrative jack 32, the head 26 of the column may be projected beneath the tire and thereafter the column be swung through an angle of approximately 90 so as to extend the column vertically upwardly. To further facilitate the positioning, the column is provided with a handle having foldable portions 32 and 34, the length of the two portions 32 and 34 being such that when the column is not in use, these two portions may be folded upon each other as indicated in Fig. 4, and swung to a position in which they are substantially concealed within the column. The handle portion 34 is provided with a lateral offset 38, which brings one of the portions 32 and 34, when straightened, into abutting relation to the housing 40 of the jack 3|. With this relation, it will be understood that in positioning the column, it is turned on its back as previously described and advanced beneath the tire, thereafter swung to the vertical position, and finally moved forwardly or rearwardly of the vehicle, by means of the handle, until such a time as the handle abuts the jack mechanism. When so positioned, the lifting column is in alignment with the brake drum, considered forwardly and rearwardly of the vehicle, and the positioning is completed by moving the column towards the wheel until such time as the lug 28 abuts the back of the brake drum housing.

While only a specific embodiment of the invention has been described in detail, it will be appreciated that various modifications in the form, number, and arrangement of parts may be made within the spirit and scope of the invention.

l/Vhat is claimed is:

1. A device of the class described comprising a supporting member of channel-shape having a base portion at one end and a vehicle engaging saddle portion adjacent the other end, the base portion and the saddle portion being offset from the mid-portion of the member in the direction in which the flanges thereof face, and an extensible handle having one end secured to the member within the channel portion thereof and, when collapsed, being adapted to nest within the body of the member.

2. A device of the class described comprising a supporting member of channel-shape having a base portion at one end and a vehicle engaging saddle portion adjacent the other end, the base portion and the saddle portion being offset from the mid-portion of the member in the direction in which the flanges thereof face, and an extensible handle having one end secured to the member within the channel portion thereof and, when collapsed, being adapted to nest within the body of the member, said handle having an offset therein so proportioned as to cooperate with a companion jack element so as to form a guide for positioning the member.

JOSEPH J. MIZER. 

